Monica Lewinsky Steps Back Into Public Spotlight To Fight Cyberbullying

Returning back to the limelight is Monica Lewinsky, the ex-White House intern who had a sexual relationship with President Bill Clinton. Lewinsky has been slowly reemerging in the public eye by writing and delivering speeches, and she has even joined social media by making an official Twitter account on Monday, October 20.

After one day of making the account @MonicaLewinsky, Lewinsky had more than 64,000 followers, evidence that people are interested to hear what she has to say. On Monday, Lewinsky spoke about cyber bullying at the Forbes Under 30 Summit in Philadelphia. Lewinsky has vowed to advocate on behalf of those whose lives were damaged by online attacks. She said she was inspired to take up the cause because of Tyler Clementi, the teen who committed suicide after he was caught on video having sex with another man. In an essay in Vanity Fair, Lewinsky wrote, “I am determined to have a different ending to my story. I’ve decided, finally, to stick my head above the parapet so that I can take back my narrative and give a purpose to my past.”

Critics, however, have subjected Lewinsky to the same type of cyberbullying that she is fighting against. Besides trolls tweeting about details such as her weight problem and supposed promiscuity, articles such as a CNN opinion piece criticizing her timing on the Clementi issue and how Lewinsky’s return to the spotlight coincided with Hilary Clinton’s campaign for 2016 have spread on the Internet.

Lewinsky did refer to her affair with President Clinton in her speech on Monday, saying, “I fell in love with my boss in a 22-year-old sort of way.” As Mrs. Clinton’s campaign is centering on family, advancing policy ideas that will strengthen families through tough economic times, voters may see Lewinsky as a reminder of the chinks in the Clinton armor and a polarizing time in American politics.